David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is being somewhat disingenuous with regard to the logic of this amendment. As I noted earlier, Sinn Féin believes that the current ceiling is too high and too loose. This amendment is an attempt to avoid the facilitation of recklessness or the rewarding of irresponsible speculation. That is the logic of this amendment and while I acknowledge the Minister has a point with regard to the ¤3 million ceiling, Sinn Féin's point is this should not be the norm. The norm should be in the region of ¤1 million, which is the logic and purpose of the amendment. When dealing with these extremely difficult and complex situations, it is important that in so doing, Members do not end up inadvertently rewarding people who are irresponsible or who have acted in an irresponsible fashion. Sinn Féin is attempting, through this amendment, to deal with that.